1. What is involved in a paternity test?

2. In what cases do I test for paternity?

3. What do I need to perform a test?

4. Where can I go to get samples collected?

5. What if I am just curious about the paternity status of my child?

6. Can I do this test without getting the mother involved?

7. What is the accuracy of DNA testing?

8. Is it ever 100% accurate?

9. Do you get the same results with a buccal swab as you would with a blood sample?

10. Do I have to go to a medical doctor or lawyer to get a paternity test done?

11. How long do I have to wait for the test results?

12. What if the father is deceased?

13. Is there an age limit?

14. Are the results of the tests confidential ?

1. What is involved in a paternity test?

Paternity testing uses DNA, the biological basis of inheritance, to prove or disprove the relationship between a child and an alleged father. It is based on the fact that we inherit half of our DNA from our father and half from our mother.

In a DNA paternity test, DNA samples are taken from the child, mother, and alleged father and sent to our lab. We purify the DNA and prepare it for testing with 16 DNA markers, producing a genetic profile for each tested individual. The child’s profile is compared with the profiles of the mother and alleged father to confirm that he/she has inherited DNA from the alleged father. We then perform statistical analysis to calculate the probability of paternity. Samples from the mother are recommended for all paternity tests. However tests may be accurately performed if the mother is not available for testing.

2. In what cases do I test for paternity?

You can test for paternity in cases of child custody, adoption, inheritance, citizenship, immigration and child support.

3. What do I need to perform a test?

Simply contact Caribbean Genetics or our nearest service provider and request the service you want. If you are just curious about the paternity staus of your child then request the Personal Paternity Test kit. This kit has all the neccessary documentation and swabs available for you to complete the collection for the test yourself. If there will be legal follow up then request the legal test. This test will require all participants to come into the collection for sampling. Picture identifcation is required for all participants for this test.

4. Where can I go to get samples collected?

You may go to any of the service providers listed or contact CARIGEN for your nearest provider.

5. What if I am just curious about the paternity status of my child.

You need to purchase a Personal Paternity Test. With this test you collect the samples yourself and the send them back to the lab for processing. The results will then be mailed, faxed or emailed to you.

6. Can I do this test without getting the mother involved?

Yes. Simply purchase the Personal Paternity Test and you can take the samples yourself.

7. What is the accuracy of DNA testing?

A father can be excluded 100% as being the father of a child. For inclusions we report figures of upwards of 99.99999%. A figure of 99% is accepted for paternity.

8. Is it 100% accurate?

It is 100% accurate at exclusions. For inclusions we report figures of upwards of 99.999%. A figure of 99% is accepted for paternity.

9. Do you get the same results with a buccal swab as you would with a blood sample?

Yes. DNA that is taken from any cell from any part of the body is the same.

10. Do I have to go to a medical doctor or lawyer to get a paternity test done?

No. You contact CARIGEN directly or visit one of our collection agencies. Contact us for an agency nearest you.

11. How long do I have to wait for the test results?

Test results are ready within 5 working days from us having recived that samples. Rush services are available at an additional cost.

12. What if the father is deceased?

If the father has living relatives we can take samples from these relatives to rebuild his DNA profile.

13. Is there an age limit.

Your DNA stays the same throughout your lifetime so it does not matter how old you are.

14. Are the results of the tests confidential ?

Yes. All tests are performed with the strick confidentiality.